24 • Thursday, April 18, 2013
Schools
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
State Finalists OTM Teachers Recognized for Effective, Interactive Styles By Margaret Frymire
Peterson said. Students are engaged in an activity or game related to their science lessons and get to apply what they are learning. “It gives me the ability to meet with the he State Board of Education honored students, conference, guide them through misthree Over the Mountain teachers as conceptions. I also am able to meet with those finalists for the Presidential Awards who are struggling with a concept or lesson and for Excellence in Mathematics and Science those who have the understanding and are able Teaching. to dig a bit deeper into our studies,” she said. Danielle Peterson of Greystone Elementary, She said the students love Math Lab and that Rita Schell of Hall-Kent Elementary and Pamela it allows her to hold the attention of her students Smith of Edgewood Elementary are three of longer than a traditional lesson, although she Alabama’s five state finalists who were honored teaches both methods. March 14 in Montgomery for their teaching Peterson also holds early morning math sesachievements. sions once a week to aid those who are Peterson is a finalist in math. Schell struggling or simply want more practice and Smith are finalists in science. with the concepts the class is studying. Established in 1983, the PAEMST “We connect to our science studies as are the highest honors for math and scimuch as possible. This lets (the students) ence teaching in the nation. The award is see that it is just not something you solve given to teachers who exemplify excellent in school during math time,” Peterson instructional skills, content knowledge said. and leadership capabilities. All three teachers agreed that the key The award-winning teachers are conto engaging students and helping them sidered models in their field and espeunderstand the concepts was getting them cially gifted in enhancing the learning into hands-on experiences and applying environment. the subject material to real-life situations This year’s finalists are all teachers of as well as other subject matter. K-6 students. Each of the teachers expressed a genuPam Smith is a LEAD teacher at Rita Schell is a LEAD teacher at Danielle Peterson is a fourthMany students often find math and Edgewood Elementary School in ine love for learning and a desire to instill Hall-Kent Elementary School in grade science teacher at science daunting subjects, but these three Homewood. Homewood. Photos special to The Journal Greystone Elementary School in that love for learning in their students. teachers have developed innovative and Hoover. “I teach to make a difference in the interesting ways to engage their students. lives of children. When my students are Schell, a teacher for 13 years, said that excited about learning, I know I am contributing love science.” Schell said comments like that flow of electricity and they grow bacteria in because most of her learning was done through to their future as a lifelong learner,” Smith said. are what remind her that her work matters and Petri dishes to understand germs,” Smith said. a textbook when she was in elementary school, The national PAEMST winners will be makes a difference. Smith and Schell have the unique opporshe had trouble understanding and applying At Greystone Elementary, Peterson, a teacher announced later this year. Each winner will tunity in Homewood City Schools to teach concepts. She felt she was “just not good” at receive $10,000 and a certificate signed by the for almost 20 years, incorporates interactive LEAD--Learning Enhancement and Academic science, and subsequently it became one of her president as well as a trip to Washington, D.C. learning styles into her classroom through Math Design--classes. LEAD classes provide science least favorite subjects, she said. Each state will have two winners–one in sciand math enrichment for K-5 students in labora- Lab. Peterson said she had a similar experience ence and one in math. ❖ Math Lab is much like a science lab, tory settings. with math.
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Journal Staff Writer
“I was actually scared of math. That’s why it is so important to me that (my students) develop their number sense, that they understand the ‘why’ behind their work and are able to apply it,” she said. All three women have tried to make their classroom learning environments different and put an emphasis on math and science. Smith said her students “experience science concepts rather than read about them in a book.” “Most activities are hands-on and involve inquiry-based learning and problem solving. They mix chemicals to learn about a chemical change, they build circuits to understand the
Each class participates once a week, complementing the math and science curriculum in the regular classroom. “I want to create learning experiences for my students that make science exciting and accessible for all learners. I want to foster a love for science that has students leaving Hall-Kent with science as one of their favorite subjects,” Schell said. Schell and Smith said the LEAD program gives them the opportunity to engage their students more fully in a creative way. Schell said that recently one of the students ran up to her and exclaimed, “Mrs. Schell, I
School Notes Crestline Students Sing to Kirkwood Residents
Pizitz Media Center student assistants with author Roland Smith. They are, from left, Keywanda Turner, Mary Grace Huckestein, Beining Tian, Roland Smith, Laura Levensailor, Lyra Bailey and Emery Thomas. Photo special to The Journal
Roland Smith Speaks to Pizitz Middle Students Louis Pizitz Middle School welcomed author Roland Smith on March 12. Smith spoke to more than 1,000 sixth, seventh and eighth-graders at a schoolwide assembly. A native of Portland, Ore., Smith has been a zoo administrator and has been involved in saving the North American red wolf as well as rescuing sea otters during the aftermath of the ExxonValdez oil spill in 1989. Smith shared his experiences and told students how he became a full-time author of children’s and young adult books. His lecture was accompanied by a big-screen visual presentation of his world travels. He also gave synopses of
More than 100 first-graders from Crestline Elementary School in Mountain Brook got to sing songs of love on Feb. 14. The students were invited to sing for Valentine’s Day at the River Retirement Community in Kirkwood. They performed “Skinnamarink” and Woody Guthrie’s “Mail Myself to You” among other songs. For the finale, the audience joined in with the performers to sing “You Are My
Sunshine/Valentine.” The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, from preparing for the trip to greeting the community’s residents before and after the performance, their teachers said.
Samford Opera Visits Deer Valley Elementary School Students at Deer Valley Elementary School were treated to some musical excitement recently when Samford Opera students visited the school. Samford University’s School of the
many of his books. Smith’s visit was sponsored by the Pizitz PTO. His book “Peak” is on the school’s seventh-grade reading list.
New Private School Coming to Greystone
Berry Student Wins Art Contest on Prevention Jade Jolly, a Berry Middle School student, has won a poison prevention art contest. The Alabama Pharmacy Association held the contest to enhance medication safety among youth. The theme was “Poisonings Span a Lifetime.” The APA’s goal is to educate the public about the proper use of medicine, good health, poison prevention and drug interactions.
Arts performed “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck. The group received a donation from Michael and Mary Anne Freeman to allow the production to tour schools in January. Deer Valley and several Hoover schools were on the tour. Students in grades 2-4 attended a nearly 45-minute production that included “Evening Prayer” as well as other numbers from the first and second acts. The opera version of “Hansel and Gretel” is based on the famous fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. The role of Hansel was played by Bethany Orick, the daughter of the school’s technology coach, Melanie Haynes.
Cast members from Samford University’s School of the Arts performed “Hansel and Gretel” when they visited Deer Valley Elementary School in Hoover recently. Photo special to The Journal
The Greystone Montessori Academy will open its 13-acre campus to students this fall. The school will be on Cahaba Valley Road near the Brook Highlands and Greystone communities. “The school will be a wonderful choice for parents who desire their children to flourish in their ability to think critically and creatively, work cooperatively and independently and respect themselves, others and the environment,” said Melinda Bray, the school’s executive director. Bray also said the academy will offer